Blog
Legislative Updates
- By: Anna Black
- On: 02/12/2026 15:59:54
- In: Legislative/Government Affairs
This week Maine Health Care Association had a strong showing in the Health and Human Services committee.
Kudos to the many members of the Maine Health Care Association who advocated this week at the State House (virtually and in person). Your efforts paid off as we had a strong showing on a handful of bills. Advocacy at the legislature matters, so thank you to all those who participated.
Quick Updates
- As part of a large consortium including other organizations representing direct service providers, MHCA took to the lectern Wednesday to oppose LD 2177 An Act to Update and Improve the MaineCare Reimbursement System.
Here's What to Know
Our oppositional testimony focused on concerns that the bill equips DHHS with the ability to withhold and reduce payments, including COLA to nursing facilities; ties reimbursement rates to state budgetary issues; and eliminates two-year rebasing.
To watch the hearing on follow this link 2-11-26 Committee On Health and Human Services - YouTube, hearing beings at timestamp 9:27.
- Working with Senator Nicole Grohoski, MHCA presented in favor testimony on LD 2131 An Act to Preserve and Improve Access to Nursing Facility Services in the State.
Here's What to Know
The bill was turned into a resolve, directing the HHS committee to require the Department of Health and Human Services to: fix the issues of guardrails that keeps NF from receiving their COLA; reinstates a partial direct care worker add-on; and, orders DHHS to release Quality Bonus payments to NF meeting criteria.
To watch the hearing follow this link 2-11-26 Committee On Health and Human Services - YouTube, this hearing begins at timestamp 3:37:30
Stay tuned next week as MHCA weighs in on several bills in the Health Coverage, Insurance and Financial Services committee, including:
- LD 2190 An Act to Implement Certain Changes in the Certificate of Need Laws Recommended by the Commission to Evaluate the Scope of Regulatory Review and Oversight over Health Care Transactions That Impact the Delivery of Health Care Services in the State.
Staff contact: ablack[at]mehca.org